What To Do When You Don't Know What To Do?

A colleague of mine preaches a sermon entitled, "What To Do When You Don't Know What To Do."  We all have been there.  Some of you may be there right now.  If you aren't you probably will be at some time.  Life has a way of putting us there.  God has a way of allowing us to be there.

I meet with pastors often that find themselves there.  Is God through with me here?  Should I prepare my resume for distribution?  Should I dig in and fight the opposition here in the church?  Should I just get out of the way?  Why is this happening to me?  Why did this happen to me?  All real questions and all questions that are being asked.

Remembering Church As I Use To Be

While making pastoral visits the other day I happened to go by a church that is meeting in the facilities of my old home church.  Although the name has changed the place is still very much the same.  Memories began to flash through my mind as I sat in the "sanctuary" with the pastor.  I sat in the vacinity where I sat on a particular Sunday evening after praying in the pastors office to receive Christ. I would make my public confession of faith that night.

CHANGES

When you mention the word change you can get all kinds of responses.  Someone has said that the only person that likes change is a wet baby.  The older I get the more I like things to be constant and consistent.  However, over the last few years we have experienced more change and we see more on the way. 

One change coming our way has to do with my dad.  He is the only living parent that Phyllis and I have between us. Life has been good to dad.  His health has been relatively good until the last couple of years.  He has been active and on the go.  That has changed and we find ourselves on the verge of moving closer to him to provide care.  Fortunately for us our ministry role allows us to do that. 

THANKFUL

Celebrating Thanksgiving as a holiday and giving thanks are as different as night and day.  The holiday (it seems) has become a bump on the way to Christmas.  Black Friday and Cyber Monday as well as football games headline the day.  There is food and there are family gatherings that we work in.

Thanksgiving as a holiday for our family always meant...FAMILY!  It also meant travel.  Before kids, with kids and after kids we traveled.  One car, van, two cars and even four to five cars from our family would show up at Granny's (Phyllis' mom) and soon aunts and uncles, neices and nephews were close behind.  It got loud, it got crowded and you had better be ready to be flexible and watch plans change in seconds (I was never ready).  Today, although locations change and there are some who are not with us anymore and others just from time to time...we get together.  Yeah, we travel...at least for the time being.  Hopefully, one day we will live closer.

WINNERS, LOSERS AND THINGS THAT REALLY MATTER

Baseball post season is in full swing. Fans whose teams have started the off season early are getting over the disappointment of not cheering for their favorite team in October. But then there are the eight who made it. It IS A new season for them.

All teams start out 0-0. These fans have renewed hope. I just finished watching a game on one of my rare nights at home. Any fan of baseball (and other team sports for that matter) know that TV will move cameras onto the crowd from time to time. Tonight was no different. Intense faces showed how important this game was to them. You would think that world peace, or even eternity was riding on the outcome. IT'S JUST A GAME! Or is it? It is, but we don't act like it.

The Master

I live in the Peach State of Georgia.  In April of each year the most prestigious golf tournament of all, The Masters, is played in Augusta, Georgia.  For those fortunate enough to get a ticket (even to a practice round) they are in for the time of their life.

Now if you’re not a fan of golf, it might not mean that much to you. But all week long the world’s top golfers converge on Georgia’s “Garden City.” All week long golf fans from all over the world attend. This in one of sports most coveted tickets. I know...I have coveted one...or two.

Do you know that people actually rent out their homes during Master’s week? Yes, and for exorbitant prices, too. Some of the professionals arrive two to three weeks early just to prepare for this tournament.

I checked this out and many people make their actual mortgage payments from the income of this season.

Wedding Ring: To Wear or Not to Wear....That Seems to Be The Question.

Prince William and Kate seem to have stirred up a great deal of interest  in the wedding ring.  Prince William has announced that he will not wear a wedding ring. 

Now the question is being asked about its importance.  How important is it that a man wear or not wear a ring.  Does it mean that he is not committed?  Does it make it easier for him to be unfaithful?  Does it mean....???

I for one never considered anything but receiving a ring from my bride and wearing it proudly.  Does it make me anymore married?  No!  Does it prove I am married?  No!  Does it declare I am married?  LOUDLY!!!

I wear a ring because my bride gave it to me.  It is a symbol of our commitment.  It is a token of our love.  It is an unending circle representing the permanence of our commitment.  It is made of precious metal symbolic of the purity of our love. 

I do take my ring off when I play golf.  I took it off when I use to play softball.  There were two reasons.  To keep from damaging it and to keep it from hurting me. 

My son-in-law lost his wedding ring playing beach volleyball.  You know what he did?  He went back to the court and dug methodically in the sand until he found it.  Miracle!  Of course he was praying all the while.

Men, when people see that ring on your finger it tells them you belong to someone else.  It should declare a commitment and love.

Whether Prince William wears a ring or not is his business, but it is also Kate's.  For one I think she should make a big deal about it.  She probably won't, but making a big deal about it now might keep it from being a big deal later.  Just saying.

Man up guys.  Declare to the world that you are committed.  Wear her ring and wear it proudly.

Honor thy....mother!

I know that Mother's Day is still a month away, but this could not wait.  For weeks now our youngest daugther (Katie) has been planning to take her mother on a surprise birthday getaway.  The date and certain information has been available, but the destination was a secret until they got to the airport in Atlanta.  Although we were guessing New York City, it was only a guess, but a good one, because when they arrived at the airport the boarding pass revealed the destination.  So a couple hours later I received a text that they had landed. 

In the weeks leading up to the trip I had told my wife not to be surprised if the other two daughters showed up.  She said, "No way!"  I said, "Way!"  Well maybe not those exact words.  No we did not know, but I know my daughers and they can plan and connive with the best.  How they did it is still not certain, but that they did is for sure.

After landing the second surprise showed up in the person of Natalie (our middle daughter).  When they arrived at the hotel the third surprise appeared (our oldest daughter Shauna).  They had t-shirts, and they went all over NY

My brother says that NY will never be the same.  Well, what does he know but I know that my wife will never be the same.  She will never forget this precious gift from three precious daughters.  I have never had a time that I was more proud of my girls and I have had many proud moments as a father.  Thank you girls for honoring your mom in this way. 

And....oh yeah...Happy Birthday, baby.

The Need for Mentors

One of the many blessings of my ministry has been the mentors that God has brought into my life.  Men like A. B. Hatfield, A.C. Hamilton, L.R. Whiddon and Robert Thompson are just a few of the pastors that had personal and hands on influence.  These men were patient and candid.  They allowed me to follow them around and watch them.  They gave me opportunities to exercise my spiritual gifts and hone my preaching skills. 

This brings me to an observation and the realization that MENTORS are not only needed by necessary.  None of the above were intentional mentors.  Three of them were my pastors and supervisors another was and is a friend.  They were more than anything just there for me.  On more than one occasion they would offer rather caustic suggestions that helped me avoid "messing up."  They provided constructive criticism and great encouragement.

We need pastoral mentors today.  I can remember those older pastors that attended our pastors conferences when I was a young idealistic pastor and provided encouragement, balance and perspective. We need some men who have been on the frontlines and in the trenches to have a cup of coffee with our young pastors and just listen and encourage.

I am on the backside of ministry.  That in no way means I am through, but it does mean that I hope to be an encourager or a mentor.  Timothy and Titus had their Paul as well as Barnabas.  Iron sharpens iron.  I want to be a whetstone in God's hands.

Transitional Interim

I began my second interim pastorate three weeks ago.  Although I have pastored for almost 30 years, I do not know it all.  I have failed at more than I have succeeded and am still in the process of becoming the leader that God has called me to be.  I love the church.  I love the Lord.  I love the Lord of the church.  Yet in too many places the Lord of the church is not Lord of the church.

With that said I believe that the interim period for a church is one of the most crucial times that church will experience in their existence.  God is at work preparing them for their next pastor and preparing their next pastor for them.  Church leaders have the opportunity to "step up to the plate" and lead biblically.  For some church leaders that may be a long shot because they simply know nothing of being a biblical leader.  One of the reasons for this is that they have not been trained to and so they do what is natural...lead from a natural standpoint.  In some cases that means "run the church" like  business. There could be nothing more detrimental to a church than that.  The church is not "a" business it is "His" business.  In reality if more businesses were run like "His" business they would be better off.  Case in point...Chick-fil-a.  But that's another issue.

Unfortunately during the interim period many church members look at it as a time to just "keep the boat afloat."  Others take a "wait and see" attitude. While some might "fly the coup" and leave for "greener grass."  It is time for "all hands on deck" and servant's attitudes to show up.

It is not a time for great change, but there is usually room for change.  A church should take care of any controversial issues and situations before the next pastor.  Don't put the new pastor in the position of dealing with land minds that he does not even know exist.

Paul sent Titus to Crete to "set in order what remains."  Such is the role of an interim.  It is fun.  It is fulfilling and it can be fruitful.  To God be the Glory.

Corry, PA

After a week of GBC meetings Phyllis and I flew to Corry, PA (via Cleveland, Ohio and Eerie, PA).  We were the guests of Mike and Ann Alger and their family for the weekend.  What wonderful friends that arrange for you to be greeted with what looked like 10 feet of snow.  I may be exaggerating, but when you come from where they measure snow in thimbles...10 feet is a pretty accurate assessment.

On Saturday we had the privilege of being the guests and speaker at FBC, Corry Valentine Banquet.  Mike and Ann's son, Jon, (a fledging chef) prepared a sumptuous meal.  The youth of the church served and as we say in the south, "A good time was had by all."

Stay In It

I have been in Duluth, GA this week for our state executive committee meeting as well as staff meetings.  The December installment is always a great time because of the Christmas season and the parties and gatherings that accompany it. 

At our Annual Staff/Retiree Christmas luncheon our former Exec. Director (Jim Griffith) related a story about Cecil B. DeMille and Charlton Heston in the filming of Ben Hur.  I went online and googled the story and found the following information.

When they began working on the movie Ben Hur, Cecil B. DeMille talked to Charlton Heston--the star of the movie--about the all-important chariot race at the end. He decided Heston should actually learn to drive the chariot himself, rather than just using a stunt double. Heston agreed to take chariot-driving lessons to make the movie as authentic as possible.

Learning to drive a chariot with horses four abreast, however, was no small matter. After extensive work and days of practice, Heston returned to the movie set and reported to DeMille.

"I think I can drive the chariot all right, Cecil," said Heston, "but I'm not at all sure I can actually win the race."

Smiling slightly, DeMille said, "Heston, you just stay in the race, and I'll make sure you win."

The Christian life is a race that we are challenged to run well.  There are times, however, that the struggle to run well is huge.  We try, but it seems that our efforts fall short.  We struggle just to stay in the race.
 
The world rewards those that come in first. There is a huge disparity between the prize and prestige of the winner and the runners-up, and there is no recognition for those that finishes near the end or are last.

God, however, operates and rewards differently than the way the world does. In Matthew 10:22, Jesus said that the one that endures until the end will be saved. You don’t have to be in the lead. You don’t have to be passing everyone up in a cloud of dust. All you have to do as a Christian is to stay in the race! “So run, that ye may obtain.”  Everyone that stays in this race is a winner.

Child of God, you just stay in the race and He will see that you win.

Joseph, Man of Courage

Been to a Christmas pageant lately?  It's that time of year.  I have been to some where the costumes looked like they came out of Rogers and Hammerstiens wardrobe room and others out of Goodwill's backroom.  The angel appears, Mary hears, the shepherds visit and the Wise Men come.  There is still no room at the inn and Joseph...Yes, Joseph.  We know he is there, but what did he say?  Well we don't know.  He is silent when it comes to scripture, but he is loud when it comes to obedience.

The Bible says that he was a "righteous man."  I am not speaking of a pious religious legalist, but a man that wants to do the right thing.  Here was a man that was chosen to become the earthly father of the Son of God, but was about to have his world rocked by a social disaster.  Given what he knew about his situation and Mary's condition he wanted to protect her as much as possible.  His heart was broken, but he could not let her be exposed to public scrutiny and the consequences of the law, which meant stoning.

How do you think he felt?  Heart-broken?  Betrayed?

How do you think he should respond?  He could have ruined her reputation.  He could have disgraced her publicly.  He could have just put her away, left or divorced her.  God allowed Joseph to look at the situation from his perspective to show us what a righteous man does when faced with difficulty in the midst of life.  Joseph was torn between obeying the law and loving Mary. Emotions ran rampant in his mind and heart yet he loved Mary and did not want to see her hurt. 

Jesus' birth creates a predicament for every man.  All men are forced to make a decision about Christ and His claims.

The more I look at Joseph's situation and Mary's condition I am convinced that in our world the National Enquirer, Time and the local papers would have had a hey day.  The gossip lines and social networking would be hot.  But look at Joseph.  He would not get into that.  "But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream..."  While the world gets on the phone or in a chat room, the "righteous man" gets with God and prays about it.

This was a redemptive moment for Joseph.  This was a moment of faith.  When we trust God we arrive at His promises and at His destination.  He did as the angel said and "took Mary as his wife, but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son, and he called His name Jesus."

Faith is believing according to the promise of God's Word.  As He informs our faith, our hope is strengthened to trust Him in our circumstances.

I guess you could say that homeland security was on the front burner for Joseph and he learned to do it God's way.

Crazy Laws

These are real laws that are on the books in the State of Georgia. 

State Laws:

Members of the state assembly cannot be ticketed for speeding while the state assembly is in session.

Donkeys may not be kept in bathtubs (and the point is?).

Signs are required to be written in English. (that one may be in trouble)

You have the right to commit simple battery if provoked by "fighting words."  (I bet that bill writer was a Baptist.)

No one may carry an ice cream cone in their back pocket if it is Sunday.

It is illegal to use profanity in front of a dead body which lies in a funeral home or in a coroner's office. (WHAT?)

Acworth

All citizens must own a rake.

Atlanta

Against the law to tie a giraffe to a telephone pole or a street lamp.

One man may not be on another man's back.

Columbus

Can't cut off a chicken's head on Sunday.

It is illegal to carry a chicken by it's feet down Broadway on Sunday.

Gainesville

Chicken must be eaten with the hands.

Jonesboro

It is illegal to say, "Oh, Boy."

Kennesaw

Every head of household must possess a firearm of somekind.

Marietta

Though it is illegal to spit from a car or bus, citizens may spit from a truck.

St. Mary's

No spitting on the sidewalk is permitted after dark.

Quitman

Cars are not to drive on sidewalks.

It is illegal for a chicken to cross the road.

Hard to believe? Believe it!

Time to Give Thanks

Thanksgiving Day is just a few days away.  I am sitting at home on a Sunday evening with a couple of days of work and ministry ahead before I can get away for the holidays.  Yet, it is a good time for reflection and expression.

First of all I am grateful to God for His grace and mercy.  I am grateful for a God that sought me out.  I am grateful for a Savior who in spite of me saved me.  I am grateful for a salvation that doesn't stop at just forgiving me and making me right with God, but is constantly conforming me to His image.  Every day with Jesus is new and fresh.

I am grateful for my precious wife of 37 years.  She knows me better than anyone (except God) and accepts me as I am.  She is my best friend and my toughest critic.  I love her and thank God for her.

I am grateful for three precious daughters that love God with a whole heart.  They continue to bring us much joy.  Different, distinct and dedicated...they love to serve.  They really get that from their mother.  Whether ministering to staff wives, serving neighbors, or taking care of children they do it well and with the love of Jesus. 

I am grateful to be a Georgia Baptist.  Call me prejudice, but I am a part of the best family in the Southern Baptist Convention.  Called to serve Christ and strengthen churches I have the best job in all the world.

I am grateful to be healthy, wealthy and ...oh well, let's not take it too far.  I do have a great group of wise friends some of which are "wise guys." 

I am grateful that I get to live in these United States of America where on Thursday I will sit down with my family and give thanks all over again.

Hope you have a great week and take time to Give Thanks.